Collier smiled widely, his eyes bright and practically dancing with anticipation and jubilation as he approached the diplomats from Xyrael and Llaydern, saluting and vigorously shaking the hand of each in turn. He was particularly gentlemanly in addressing Zyanya, taking her hand more gently than the others and giving a slight bow, briefly giving her hand a kiss that barely touched the skin--he knew some women appreciated the symbolism of such an outdated gesture more than the actual physical contact involved. He looked to the group assembled about him, nodding with satisfaction.
"And now, my good friends," the Herald stated, able to project his voice from the diaphragm well enough to be heard over the roar of the crowds without having to shout or strain his lungs or vocal chords; clearly the result of several years of practice for his speeches as well as experience, "Shall we enter the Chancellory and let our talks begin? If you would be so kind as to follow me."
Giving a few last waves and salutes to the many spectators, Collier proceeded to take the lead of the group, striding up the long stairway to the double doors of their entrance. The two guards present at the sides of the doorway clicked their heels together, simultaneously saluting the Herald, who responded in kind as Weimann opened one of the large, ten-foot by five-foot doors, allowing Collier to resume leading the group into the rather impressive, crimson-carpeted lobby, at least three times the size of the foyer in Kohlersburg. The Herald took off his flat-topped cap, tucking it under his left arm with his deerskin gloves which he had just removed, not stopping as he strode in the lead, guiding the group straight through the center of the lobby towards another set of double doors, already opened and remaining so even as a second pair of soldiers on guard duty gave a disciplined salute to the High Chancellor, who again responded in kind. He lead them into what appeared to be a great assembly hall, large enough and furnished to accomodate up to 500 seats, a podium in place in front of the large and ornately carved wooden desk on the stage-like precipice behind, made to seat the High Chancellor and the Board of Ministers during a session, no doubt.
Collier lead the group up a small set of steps to the side of this stage area, leading them to a pair of double doors somewhat smaller than those of the entrance, leading into a large room meant to accomodate a significantly smaller group of individuals, the elongated table in the center circled by twenty-five office chairs.
"This is the Conference Chamber, where I hold my discussions, reviews and advisory sessions with the Board of Ministers and any other necessary parties." Collier explained, gesturing for those present to take their seats where they wished, taking his own seat at the right-hand end of the table while Major Buccholz took his place standing at the entrance to the Conference Chamber, Weimann taking a slightly spread-legged stance behind Collier's seat and to the left, hands behind his back. The others took ther usual seats; Dr. West, Kröhner, Field Marshall Ziegler, and a couple of new faces whom the Herald gestured to and introduced in turn: One a somewhat husky individual with brown hair that was combed down on all sides, glasses on his slightly squarish-round face (Vice Chancellor, Judge Barron Richter; Chairman of the Ministry of Legislation, Legal Proceedings and Judicial Proceedings); the other a man with light blond hair cut very short in military fashion, uniformed in black with a long black overcoat of military fashion, which he had hung on a coat rack not far from the door with his officer's cap, (First Lieutenant Stephen Schwimmer, Stateshead of the State Security Service, National Intelligence and Security Adviser to the Herald), angular face clean-shaven with dark blue eyes. The seats closest to the Herald were left open for the diplomats from the various nations. Collier smiled, nodding satisfactorily as he placed his open hands together at the fingertips, elbows resting on the table as Major Buccholz closed the Conference Chamber doors.
"Now then," the High Chancellor stated in a pleasant tone, "here we are at long last, ready to hold our diplomatic discussions. I hope only for the best of results. I hope you don't mind; we tend to be more informal than parliamentary in procedures within this room, save for the obligatory opening and closing officialities; so just relax, make yourselves comfortable, and be yourselves." Collier then cleared his throat, standing up with hands clasped behind his back as he spoke in a far more official tone, "As High Chancellor of the Confederate Democratic Socialists' Parliament, and Herald of the Democratic Socialists' Party, I thank each of you present here today, as well as extend my utmost gratitude to your respective nations for instigating these diplomatic relations. As High Chancellor, it is by my order, delegated to and through me by the Will of the People and the Welfare of the State, this meeting will now begin. The floor is open to any who wish to speak first." Collier looked with a soft smile to those present as he resumed his seat, hands clasping together excitedly, eagerly awaiting for the discussions to begin.
